Our Team
Built by competitors. Supported by family. Rooted in Livermore.
SubCulture is built by a close-knit team of coaches and staff who balance training, work, and family while maintaining a high standard for our community.
Every person listed here plays a specific role in keeping our programs safe, structured, and welcoming, both on and off the mats.
Kids & Youth program team
AJ Diaz: Owner and LLNL professional, father to children training in the program, and 7+ year youth coach. AJ leads with structure, high standards, and genuine investment in every student’s growth. Deeply rooted in Livermore, he is committed to developing confident, disciplined young leaders on and off the mats.
Monica Diaz: Owner and youth coach for 5 years, and full-time Livermore mom to children training in the program. Monica builds the culture that makes SubCulture feel like family. She focuses on discipline, accountability, and helping kids feel seen, safe, and challenged. Her mission is simple: strong families, strong kids, strong community.
Tyson Tran: Granada High (Class of 2025) graduate, Las Positas student, State Champion wrestler, and 10-year jiu jitsu practitioner. Tyson represents the next generation of Livermore athletes and shows young students what long-term dedication looks like. Proud to coach in the community that raised him.
Marc Palacio: Bay Area Police Officer, father to kids in the program, and active competitor. Marc models integrity, discipline, and leadership both in uniform and on the mats. He is personally invested in building safer, stronger kids across our community.
Tyson Tran
AJ Diaz
Marc Palacio
Monica Diaz
adults program team
AJ Diaz: Owner and active competitor, deeply rooted in the Livermore community. With years of coaching experience and consistent competition, AJ sets the standard at SubCulture. His classes emphasize precision, discipline, and accountability—developing athletes who train with intention and technical precision.
Robby Heineg: Longtime Livermore local, former wrestler, and active competitor. Robby’s style reflects his wrestling roots—pressure, pace, and relentless mat awareness. He pushes training intensity while reinforcing the fundamentals that win under pressure.
Matt O’Brian: LLNL professional and active competitor, Matt brings consistency and composure to every class. He combines structured instruction with real competition experience, helping students sharpen fundamentals and perform when it counts.
Chad: Former Granada High School educator and current online instructor, Chad brings a strong teaching foundation to the academy. With deep Livermore roots, he emphasizes structure, technical clarity, and long-term development on and off the mats.
Clark Conover: Division I Wrestling Hall of Famer and Master Worlds Champion. As a longtime coach and Granada High School principal, Clark brings decades of elite wrestling pedigree and leadership to SubCulture. His presence elevates the room—setting a championship standard through discipline, technical sharpness, and the mindset of a lifelong competitor.
Chad
Clark Conover
AJ Diaz
Matt O’Brian
Robby Heineg
open mat & operations team
Jen Palacio: Jen manages the front desk and helps keep the academy running smoothly day in and day out. With her own kids training in the program and her husband coaching on the mats, SubCulture is part of her family’s daily life. Known as the “team mom” across her children’s sports, Jen brings that same energy into the gym.
JP: JP leads our open mats and keeps our member communication flowing behind the scenes. A Livermore local with a laid-back approach, he creates a space where teammates can train seriously without losing the fun of the process.
Enrique Gonzalez: Enrique runs open mats with energy and positivity. Known for his great attitude and love of the sport, he helps create an environment where athletes can sharpen skills while keeping the culture fun and collaborative. A dedicated fan of the fight game, he brings that passion into every session.
JP
Jen Palacio
Enrique Gonzalez
All coaches, staff, and program leads at SubCulture undergo background checks and operate within clearly defined roles and responsibilities—ensuring a safe, structured, and accountable training environment.